12 September 2008

Press Release of the Mission regarding the unwaranted US unilateral measures against the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines

12 September 2008

In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

The Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations wishes to state the following with regard to the unwarranted move by the United States on 10 September 2008 in labeling baseless allegations and taking illegal unilateral measures against the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL):

1. The said illegal and unjustifiable measures that are taken under false pretexts, yet again put on display the unilateralist approach of the United States, and constitute another example of US contempt for international law, and are indeed doomed to fail because of their hegemonic, illegitimate and illegal nature.

2. The Islamic Republic of Iran categorically rejects the baseless allegations made by the US against the IRISL, and strongly condemns the said US invalid unilateral measures. The IRISL has been operating under the rules and regulations of international law pertaining to the carriage of goods by sea, and as such, has never engaged in illicit activities including “proliferation activities”, since there are absolutely no such activities in Iran. As stressed, time and again, by the IAEA officials and as reflected in the numerous IAEA reports, the nuclear program of the Islamic Republic of Iran is purely peaceful and there is no single evidence or indication to the contrary. Given the fact that the US has failed to provide any evidence with regard to the so-called “proliferation concerns” in Iran, nor has it presented any substantiation to its allegations against IRISL, these unlawful unilateral measures only add to the absurdity of such blind US policies and practices. Equally unwarranted are the attempts by the United States to justify such illegal actions by its false and perverted interpretation of the Security Council resolution 1803 since, as unlawful as this resolution is, it never prescribes such measures.

3. It is abundantly clear that these measures are intended to target the welfare of the Iranian nation, and to exert undue pressure on thousands of ordinary shareholders of this company.Therefore, the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran reserves its right to seek compensation for the damages that may be incurred to its citizens as a result of such unfounded accusations and unlawful unilateral measures. History should have taught a lesson to the advocates of unilateralism and hegemony, that no amount of pressure, intimidation and unlawful measures will be able to break the resolve of a great nation that is determined to defend its rights.